Russia Forces Migrants to Fight in Ukraine Against Their Will

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A Tajik migrant, Hushruzjon Salohidinov, was arrested in Saint Petersburg, Russia’s second-largest city, while delivering a parcel. He claimed he had not interacted with anyone involved in alleged theft from elderly women. Despite this, he spent nine months in pre-trial detention before a judge refused to start his trial due to insufficient evidence.

Instead of being released, Salohidinov was threatened by prison officials who stated that if he did not volunteer to fight in Ukraine, he would be placed with HIV-infected inmates and subjected to gang-rape. They also offered him a sign-up bonus of 2 million rubles ($26,200), a monthly salary of 200,000 rubles ($2,620), and an amnesty from all convictions.

Salohidinov eventually signed up for military service in the autumn of 2025. He is one of tens of thousands of Central Asian migrants who have been coerced into fighting for Russia as part of a nationwide campaign. According to human rights groups and Russian officials, these labour migrants are being sent to Ukraine with little consideration for their safety.

The life expectancy of these soldiers on the front line is reportedly around four months. Human rights organizations have reported that losses among them are catastrophic. The Kremlin’s campaign to force Central Asians to fight in Ukraine began in 2023, shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Migrants from Central Asia, particularly Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan, have been targeted by Russian authorities for conscription. They claim to be subjected to abuse, torture, and threats of deportation or family separation. Some migrants are also duped into signing up for military service through false promises and intimidation.

According to Alisher Ilkhamov, the head of the Central Asia Due Diligence think tank, the main method of recruitment is pressure with threats of deportation. In some cases, migrants are simply bused to conscription offices without being informed of their situation.

Source: Al Jazeera